Top Ten Tuesday: ‘Madden 19’ Cover Candidates

For a lot of people, EA’s Madden series has been very disappointing for several years now. With a change at creative director, perhaps things will move in a positive direction moving forward. The cover athlete for Madden 19 has yet to be announced, but these ten stars could be in the mix for EA’s NFL game.

 

10. Saquon Barkley

No rookie has ever appeared on the cover of Madden, but Saquon Barkley could be the guy to change that. Barkley was a highly-touted prospect coming out of Penn State—a premiere college football school—and he landed with one of the premiere NFL franchises. Also, Barkley is a likable person, so it won’t take much to sell the extremely talented running back to fans. The 21-year-old is expected to immediately become a big part of the Giants’ offense in 2018, making him a rare safe pick for the cover of Madden as a rookie.

 

9. Jimmy Garoppolo

Since 2000, a couple of Seattle Seahawks (Shaun Alexander and Richard Sherman) have graced the cover of Madden from a West Coast team. With the 49ers seemingly on the rise, it might be time to get another player by the Pacific on the cover. After his mentor-of-sorts Tom Brady was on the cover last season, Jimmy Garoppolo probably wouldn’t think it’s the worst idea in the world to headline the game himself.

 

8. Russell Wilson

History shows that for whatever reason, EA likes to put Seahawks on the cover when they use a West Coast athlete. Seattle didn’t make the playoffs last season, but Wilson is undeniably one of the best players in football, and he can put the team on his back better than almost anybody. Plus, Wilson seems like the type of person that would be happy to be on the cover of Madden if he is asked.

 

7. Le’Veon Bell

It’s quite hard to believe, but Le’Veon Bell is still only 26 years old despite entering his sixth year in the NFL. The All-Pro running back is one of the most consistent players in the league, and he has the all-around game that makes him a great player to use in Madden. Who knows what features (if any) EA has in mind for this year’s game, but capturing Bell’s trademark running style and putting it in the game with him on the cover would be a hype-builder.

 

6. Alvin Kamara

Many people that drafted Alvin Kamara on their fantasy team last season would be thrilled with this selection, and a lot of people that won their league might feel the need to buy Madden 19 after he put up huge fantasy numbers for them. The Saints figure to compete for a playoff spot this season, and Kamara will be a big part of that as one of the league’s most versatile players.

 

5. Carson Wentz

If he didn’t get injured in Week 14, Carson Wentz might have won league MVP in his second NFL season. Wentz made exciting plays and was on the highlight reel every week, and being a likable guy is important for headlining a video game. Even as he recovers from his knee injury, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be among the most electrifying players again this season, and many fans will love him on the cover of Madden 19. Maybe EA could even include Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles on the cover along with Wentz after he seamlessly took over the offense to help Philadelphia win its first Super Bowl.

 

4. Deshaun Watson

Speaking of electrifying, Deshaun Watson stepped into the NFL and lit it up as a rookie last season until he suffered his own season-ending knee injury in practice. Somehow, no player from one of Texas’ teams has ever been on the cover of Madden, and it has to happen at some point. Given Watson’s poise back there at quarterback, hopefully EA would revamp quarterback play from inside the pocket and outside the pocket if he’s on the cover.

 

3. Cam Newton

Cam Newton will be in the discussion for Madden cover every year until he’s actually on it, which still has yet to happen. Maybe EA is waiting until the gameplay is actually good enough that Newton can be utilized in the video game like he is in real life; but there are a lot of young players emerging in the league, and Newton might never be on the cover if it doesn’t happen soon.

 

2. Antonio Brown

There is no question Antonio Brown is an elite, all-time great player, and he plays for one of the best franchises in the NFL. You know AB would take advantage of the business opportunity to be on the cover of Madden. And just maybe, Brown on the cover would lead to an equipment upgrade in the game, as EA has yet to get Brown’s Michael Jordan-like arm band correct.

 

1. Todd Gurley

We already went over how the West Coast has had only a couple of players represent on the cover of Madden, but it might be time for another with a couple of teams now in one of the two biggest media markets in the United States. The NFL would probably like Gurley on the cover, too, as it would potentially help to generate interest in what can be an unenthusiastic LA crowd.